United Look To Avoid Upset At Cambridge

Manchester United travel to the Abbey Stadium tonight (19:55) looking to avoid an FA Cup upset at the hands of League Two Cambridge United. The Red Devils are the strong 2/9 favourites (Numerous) to reach the fifth round but will have to put the memories of losing 4-0 to League One MK Dons back in August at the back of their minds.

The price of 18/1 offered by Spreadex on a Cambridge win further highlights the size of the task ahead for Richard Money`s men but they will no doubt take confidence from the Premier League side`s early season Dons-induced League Cup exit. The same bookmaker have 7/1 on the home side being able to force an Old Trafford replay.

What is in the U`s favour, however, is the fact that they have built up some momentum in this competition after having entered the draw in the first round proper. Having received a bye into the third round means that Manchester United have only played one game in the tournament and will have to adapt again to the challenges it poses.

Louis van Gaal`s men made a winning start to the FA Cup by seeing off League One strugglers Yeovil 2-0. Gary Johnson`s home side put up a brave fight against the former Premier League champions, only conceding when Ander Herrera hit an ovation-worthy shot in the 63rd minute.

The away side then doubled up in injury time, Angel Di Maria grabbing only his fourth goal for the club. Their opponents sit 12th in League Two after winning all of their three 2015 matches. One of these games was the 2-1 victory over Luton Town in the third round of this competition, Robbie Simpson and Ryan Donaldson hitting the back of the net before Michael Harriman`s consolation header.

Whilst League Two promotion contenders Luton were dispatched in 90 minutes, Cambridge struggled to get past fellow mid-table side Mansfield Town, needing a replay to progress after a 2-2 draw at Field Mill.

Rakish Bingham opened the scoring for Mansfield with the game just three minutes young before Luke Chadwick equalised for the home side on the 10 minute mark. The tie remained level until the 81st minute when Tom Champion put the ball into the back of his own net to give the Stags a late lead, though Kwesi Appiah saw Cambridge level again in stoppage time.

Sullay Kaikai scored the only goal in the reverse fixture to see money`s side progress. A scoreline that mimicked the one that Mansfield recorded in the first round against League One side Fleetwood Town. Appiah was again on the scoresheet as he slotted the ball past former United `keeper Chris Maxwell in the Cod Army goal.

The U`s top scorer in the competition, Appiah, is unavailable after being recalled from his loan by parent club Crystal Palace. He is currently taking part in the African Cup of Nations with Ghana.

As a result, four-time goalscorer Ryan Bird is the bookies` favourite to score at any time for Cambridge United. The former Portsmouth striker can be backed at 6/1 with bet365, betfred and boylesports.

Potential Manchester United scorers include Robin van Persie (7/8 - 888sport, unibet), Radamel Falcao (15/16 - 888sport, unibet) and James Wilson and Wayne Rooney (both 13/10 - 32red, 888Sport, unibet).

From the five FA Cup games played by both teams, four of the goals scored have come in the 80th minute or later. Skybet`s 13/2 says that the first second half goal will be scored somewhere between the 76th and 85th minutes whilst 12/1 with the same bookmaker says it will be grabbed in the 86th minute or later.

In team news, the home side have three players cup tied (Jordan Chiedozie, Johnny Hunt and Matteo Lanzoni), whilst Manchester United are without Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young through injury.

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23/01/2015     © Frixo 2024